Machine for making zipper fasteners



Feb. 28, 1939. E. M A'RENTZEN MACHINE FOR MAKNG ZIPPER FASTENERS 8 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 17, 193'?" m 77I;VENTO.R WM 'da' Feb. 28, 1939. E. M. ARENTZEN I MACHINE FOR NIM/(ING` ZIPPER FASTFINFIRS Filed April 17, 193'? 8 Sheets-Sheer:I 2'

Feb. 2 8, 1939. E. M. ARENTzl-:N

MACHINE FOR MAKING ZIPPER FASTENERS Filed April 17, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet I5 I Feb. 28, 1939.

E. M. ARENTZEN MACHINE .FOR MAKING ZIPPER FASTENERS' Filed April 17, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb..28, 1939. E. M. ARENTZEN 2,148,573

` MACHINE FOR MAKING ZIPPER FAs'rNERs Filed April 17, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 28, 1939. E. M. ARENTZEN MACHINE FOR MAKING ZIPPER FASTENERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 17, 1937 l 2li-0?]WENTORv @y VWM Feb. 28, 1939. E. M. ARENTZEN 2,148,673

MACHINE FOR MAKING ZIPPER FASTENERS Feb. 28, 1939. E. M. ARENTzr-:N

MACHINE FOR MAKINGv ZIPPER FASTENERS Filed April 17, v193'? a sheets-sheet 8 head at the other. Such a may be attachedto the tape vas Patented F eb.l 28, 1939 PATENT OFFICE MACHINE Foa MAKING zirrEa FAsrENEas Einar Martin Arentzen,

by mesmev assignments pany, a corporation of Franklin, Pa., assignor, to Joy Fastener Com- Pennsylvania Application April 17,' 1937, serial No. 137,567

25 Claims.-

This invention relates to improvements in machines for attaching fastener elements to the edge of a flexible tape or carrier for use in making separable fasteners of the type commonly referred to as zippers nd more particularly to a machine designed or use in connection with a ribbon-like member having fastener `elements projecting laterally from an edge or side thereof; `each fastener element having tape- `gripping jaws at one lend and an interlocking ribbon-like member having rfastener elements projecting laterally therefrom is disclosed in. my abandoned application Serial No. 114,605, filed December 7, 1936,`

More particularly the invention relates to a machine for severing preformed fastener elements or scoops from a ribbon-like support member and attaching them to the edge of a flexible tape or carrier. The machine involves mechanism for feeding tape or carrier material, mechanism for feeding the ribbon-likesupport member with its unitarily connected fastener elements, a punch or severing mechanism for severing the elements from the ribbon-like member, mechanism for presenting the severed 'elements to the edge of the tapeand clinching them thereto, and means for causing the aforesaid mechanisms to operate in a predetermined order or timed relationship to each other. The machine also involves apparatus for controlling the feed of the fastener elements so that any predetermined number -of fastener ,elements or carrier in the proper spaced relationship, followed by an interruption in the feed of fastener elements and their support member without interrupting the tape feed, and then a resumption of fastener element feed so that a continuous carrier may 'be made having separated groups of fastener elements; the separation between groups being of a fixed length, say for example, two, three or fouryinches depending on h ow. much 'clear tape is required at each end of each group of fastenerV elements.v If these clear tape sections are severed at the middle thereof, individual fasteners or carriers are obtained having a `group comprising a predetermined number of fastener elements thereon with one, one. and one-half or two inches of clear tape at the ends of the group.

An object. of this invention is to yproduce a ,machine of the character above set forth that shall be simple in construction, automatic .in operation, and capable ofv being-built in such small/size that one operat/r can supervise the operation of four or m9 machines and be for all practical lpurposes within reaching distance of all the machines.

Another object of the Vinvention is to produce a machine that shall be so simple in construction and so precise in operation that the carriers or zippers produced on one machine will match or be operative with those produced on any other machine.

A further object of the invention is to produce a machine having an improved feeding de- 10 vice for the fastener elements and an improved mechanism for stitching or securing the fastener elements to the carrier tape.

A still further object of the invention is to produce a machine that will attach the fastener elements to the tape in such a way that the holding power developed by the fastener element jaws will be equal to or greater than the tearing strength of fabric tape, and to provide a mechanism that will act on the tape-gripping jaws in such manner that the jaws will not be fatigued or over-stressed and thereby weakened.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention are set forth in, and will be apparent from, the followingl description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: f

Figure 1 -is a plan view of a portion of. stock strip of fastener elements, i. e., a strip comprising a ribbon-like member having a plurality of fastener elements projecting laterally from one edge thereof; and designed to be fed to the machine embodying the invention, the machine severing 4the individual elements from the ribbon-like support member and attaching them to the edge of a carrier or tape;

Fig. 1A is a plan view of a stringer or carrier tape to one edge of which groups of fastener elements have been attached, the groups being separated to provide portions of clear tape;

Fig. 1B is a view looking at the ends of the carrier or Stringer shownin Fig. 1A;

' Fig. 1C is a general' organization view, more or less schematic in character, of a machine for 45 severing thev fastener elements from the strip shown in Fig. 1 and attaching them to theedge of a tape or carrier to produce the article shown jin Fig. 1A; Y'

Fig..2 is a top plan view, approximately to full 50 scale, of the machine 'shown in Fig. 1C;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the machine as seen looking from left to right in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional viewtaken on line I V-IV of Fig', 2; 65

' Fig. 5 is a' sectional view taken on line V-V of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a more or less diagrammatic view illustrating the sequence of the cams of the m8.- chine which operate and control the timing of the operations of the various mechanisms of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this view being taken as seen in the direction of the arrows 5 5, Fig. 2 as are seen looking at the end of the drive shaft in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation showing a lock-out mechanism for controlling the feed of the stock strip shown in Fig. 1 and is taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation, partially in section, of a device for controlling the lock-'out lmechanism shown in Fig. 7 and is taken on line lpunch mechanism shown in Fig. 9, this view being taken on a plane corresponding to line XII-XII of Fig. 9, and showing other details of construction having to do with the control of the feed of the stock strip;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken ou line XIII-XIII of Fig. 12 showing the die plate and the stripper plate of the punch mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a partial view in section taken on line XIV-XIV of Fig. 9;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to the view of Fig. 12 but is taken on line XV-XV of Fig. 14 showing the punch in section;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged top plan view of a mechanism which receives the fastener elements as they are severed by the punch mechanism and places these elements with the jaws thereof astride the edge of the carrier tape and clinches them thereto;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16 showing the mechanism in the position required to clinch the jaws of the fastener elements to the carrier tape;

Fig. 18 is a bottom view-of an element embodied ,in the mechanism shown in Figs. 16 and 17;

j Fig. 19 is a view in section taken on line XIX-XIX of Fig. 16;

' Fig. 20 is a view in section online XXe-H of Fig. 19;v

Fig. 21 is an enlarged top plan view of an element having a nest or pocket into which the fastener elements are deposited by the punch aftersevering such elements from the stock strip support ribbon;

` Fig. 22 is a'view in section taken on Aline XXIII- XXII of Fig. 21 showing the punch in its lowermost position withva fastener element dep osited within the nest:

Fig. 23 is a view in side elevation of a pawl embodiedin the stock strip feeding mechanism shown in Fig. 2,;

Fig. 24 is a plan view of the guide for the pawl suppo r'. block shown in Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a side view of the lower tape guide and tightening device employed in a machine as illustrated in Fig. 1C;

Fig. 26 is a top plan view of the guide shown in Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a partial view in side elevation, and partly in section, showing a modified form of control for the tape feed wheel;

Fig. 28 is a perspective view showing the principal operating parts of the machine; and

Fig. 29 is an enlarged perspective view of cerH tain. of the parts shown in Figure 28.

Throughout the drawings and the specifica.- tion like reference characters indicate like parts.

In Fig. l of the drawings, there is illustrated a portion or section of a stock strip I comprising a band or ribbon-like support member 2 having a plurality of preformed spaced fastener elements 3 formed unitarily with one edge o r side of the' support member and projecting laterally therefrom. Each of the fastener elements includes spaced portions I which when severed from the ribbon-like member form tape gripping jaws, and an interlocking head 5; the head having on one side a recess 6 and on the opposite side a projection 1. Stock strip material I may be made on a special machine and coiled and fed from the coil to the machine disclosed herein, as stated in my aforementioned application, or the stock strip may be produced on a forming machine operating'synch'ronously with the machine herein disclosed. A

The stock strip shown in Fig. 1 is formed with a series of precisely spaced feed notches or openings .O'that cooperate with the feeding mechanis'm of the machine tlg allow accurate and precise feeding thereof to the severing punch or cutoif mechanism. As stock strip I is fed to the machine, fastener elements 3 are severed one by one from. the ribbon-like member 2 and attached to the edge of a tape to form a zipper, element or y of elements may be attached to a continuous tape; the space I0 between groups and the number of elements to a group being accurately and precisely controllable by this device.

'Ihe machine herein disclosed comprises a punch or severing mechanism II; a mechanism I2 for feeding the stock strip I -to the severing mechanism; a mechanism I3 flr feeding tape Il; a mechanism I5 (Figs. 4, 14, 28 and 29) for receiving fastener -elements 3 from the punch -or cut-off mechanism after they have been severed from the band or ribbon-like support member 2 and transferring and attaching them to the tape, and a drive shaft I6 connected by pulleys I1, I8 and belt I9 to a driving motor 20. A series of cams 2|, 22, 23 and 24 are mounted on shaft I6 lfor operating the respective mechanisms II, I2,

(Figs.- 3, 7 and 28) for stopping the stock strip feeding mechanism and a control mechanism 26 for operating the feed control mechanism. Control mechanism 26 is operated by cam 22 on. the shaft I8 and is designed to control precisely the number of fastener elements in a group that are attached to the tape and the length of clear tape ,or gap between groups (see Fig. 1A). By omitting the control device, the number of elements attached without an intervening gap would be indeterminate and controllable manually at will. In either case, the spacing between adjacent elements 3 would be the same, as the spacing is determined by the amount of tape' fed in the interim i to the tape.

l feeding engagement between the attachm nt o! consecutive .elements- Stock strip ,feeding mechanism 'lhe mechanism for feeding the stock strip shown in Fig. l, (this strip l ay be fed from a reell 131|) comprises a wheel 2 (Figs. 2, 3, 9 and 28) mounted fast on a spindle 28journal1ed in a pedestal 29 secured to a bed plate 38. 'Ihe wheel 2'I is provided on its periphery or circumference withv a plurality of evenly spaced projections or sprocket-likel teeth 3 I, shaped to register with and t into openings ornotches 8 in the stock/strip, and to advance the stock strip into the machine as the wheel turns, much the sameeas a sprocket is driven by a sprocket wheel. The stock strip feed mechanism also includes a ratchet wheel 32 secured fast to spindle 28, the ratchet wheel and feed wheel being on opposite sides of pedestal 29, and a pawl 33 for turningthe ratchet wheel spindle and feed wheel step-by-step with an intermittent motion.

In order that the `feed wheel 3| shall stop immediately at the end of the feed stroke of pawl 33,.a brake is provided whichv imposes a'high friction drag on the spindle. This brake may, as illustrated, comprise` discs' 35 of ber or other suitable material placed between ratchet wheel 32 and pedestal 29. The friction developed is a result of the pressure imposed on the ber discs 35 by the ratchet wheel 32, and this pressure can be obtained by tightening nut 36 which is threaded on the spindle, until the desired pressure is obtained. A lock nut 31 holds the adjustment thus made. A hand wheel 38 is also attached to kspindle 28 whereby the stock strip feeding mechanism may be operated manually at times when it is necessary to thread stock strip I into with the sprocket teeth of feed wheel 21.

Pawl 33 is mounted on a block 39 disposedbetween a shoulder 48 on pedestal 29 and bed plate 38. The upper face of the block 39 is provided with an upwardly projecting rib 4| to the forf ward end of which the fixed end of pawl 33 is pivotally secured by a pin 42. 'I'he fixed end of pawl 33 is provided .with spaced lugs 43 that straddle rib 4|; pin 42 passing through the rib and the lugs. 'I'he forward end of the pawl is sharpened to a point so that it will work smoothly with the teeth on the ratchet wheel 32. Pawl 33 is urged upwardly into engagement with the teeth of ratchet wheel 32 bya spring 44 nested in a socket 45 in block 39. To provide operatingy cle ance between pawl 33 and block 39, the bl ck is recessed as at 46.

Pawl 33 lis actuated through its feed or ,working stroke, i. e.. in a direction to turn ratchet wheel 32 in the direction ofv arrow 41, by a lever 48 disposed for operationA by cam 22, and isreturned after completing its working stroke by a 1' spring 49. Lever 48 is pivotally mounted at about the working stroke its' mid-point on a pin 58 carried by a bracket 5I secured to the bed plate 30. One end of lever 8 carries roller 52 that engages cam 22, and the other end is slotted to receive a pin- 53 carried bypression spring and is, therefore, conveniently mounted between lever 48 and bed plate 38. The s lot in the end of lever 48 in which pin 53 is received is made wider than the diameter of the pin in order that adjustment'in the stroke, i. e.,`

of pawl 33, may be accomplished. This adjustment may be obtained byl providing a screw 55 the head of which` may be by a through pin '15., The forward Spring 49 is a comy machine and carries a roller 82 at which engages cam 23. 'A compression springmoved towards or away from the pin, thereby varying theworking clearance between the head ofthe screw and the pin to allow for the proper adjustment in the working stroke of the pawl.

Each time lever 48 is actuated by the cam 22 in the direction indicated by arrow 56 (see LFigs. 2 and 28) ratchet wheel 32 and feed wheel 21 are advanced together one tooth, whereby the stock strip is advanced far' enough to position an element 3 in the cut-olf die or punch I I, i. e., the element is so positioned that jaws 4 4 of the fastener element are severed at Tape feeding mechanism be turned A groove 64 58 on a side after they have been secured to the same, as the tape moves over the knurled surface. This groove tends to guide the tape and to hold it in theposition required to properly secure the fastener elements to the tape.

In order to provide suiiicient tension in the porftion of the tape vbetween wheel 58 and a lower tape tightener and guide 65, (Fig. 25) and also to provide the friction necessary to feed thetape, a roller 66 (Figs. 3, 27 and 28) is provided which is so mounted that it bears rmly against the tape,` squeezing the tape tightly against the knurled surface of wheel 58. Roller 66 is preferably made of yieldable material, Asuch as rubber, or of metal provided with a yieldable tire of rubber, for example, and is mounted on a bearing pin 61 secured to a lever 68 (Figs. 1C, 3 and 27). Lever 68 is fulcrumed at a point between its ends on a pin 69 secured to a bracket 18, and this lever is urged counterclockw'lse, as seen in Fig. 1C, by a compression spring 1I disposed between the lower end of the lever and pedestal 62'.` 'I'he tension of this spring is adjusted until roller 66 bears with the required pressure ontape I4 as (Figs. 2, 3, 5, 27and 28). The rear end-of the block is formed with spaced upwardly extending lugs 14 between which the-rear end of pawl 6I'` is positioned and wherein it is'pivotally secured end of the pawl rests on a compression spring 16 nestedin a socket 'I1 in block 13. This spring urges the point of the pawl into engagement with the ratch' et teeth 68. A portion of block 13 is recessed at 18' to provide operating clearance for the pawl.

A pin 19 which depends from the lower face of sliding block I3 is disposed to reciprocate the block and pawl carried thereby to eifect a toothbyftooth advance of feed wheel 58. Lever 68 is fulcrumednear its forked end on a pin 8| secured to the bed/of the its opposite end 83 mounted between the roller end of lever 88 and an abutment 84 holdsthe roller in engagepolnts indicated` Aat 51-51 (Figs. l, 12, 16 and 29).

vthis is Wide enough to accommodate the fastener elements engaged by a forked lever 88 pedestal 62 secured to bed also carries a hand wheel men-t with the cam 23, thereby causing the lever to oscillate with the throw of the cam and to reciprocate pawl 6| for the purpose above described.

In-ordei` to prevent turning of wheel 58, either because of the pull exerted thereon by the tension in -tape I4 or because of the sliding friction between pawl 6| and ratchet teeth 60, a friction drag is imposed. This drag may comprise discs 60' o'f fiber or other suitable material positioned on spindle 62 between wheel 58 and pedestal 62'. By drawing wheel 58 up tightly against discs 60' the necessary friction is obtained 4to cause the wheel lto stop and remain stationary at all times except when turned by pawl 6I or lby the manual turning of hand-wheel 63.

In Fig. 27 a different arrangement is illustrated to obtain precise and uniform feed of the tape. In this arrangement the friction dises 60" are omitted and a pawl 6|' is provided which prelvents back travel of the tape feed wheel. Pawl 6|' is pivotally supported on a bracket B and is yieldingly urged into engagement with the ratchet teeth 60 by means of a spring S. With this arrangement a high degree tension is imposed on tape i4 so that when wheel 58 is advanced slightly more than one tooth by pawl 6|, the stretch of the tape will turn the' wheel in the opposite direction until pawl 6|' solidly engages a tooth 60. Thus, exact and precise feeding of the tape as well as exact, precise and uniform spacing of elements 3 on the tape are obtained.

Guide 13 comprises two side members 85and 86 (Figs. 5, 23, 24 and 27) secured together with bolts 81 and provided with a dove-tailed slot 88 in which the anges 89 of block 13 are slidably disposed. The side members are cut out as at 90 (Fig. 27) to receive the. forked end of lever 80 1 and slotted longitudinally to provide a way 9| for pin 19. The throw of cam 23 is so designed that when said pawl 6| is moved through its working stroke the tape will be advanced a distance equal to the spacing between elements 3.

'Lofwer tape guide and t'ghtener cured to the under sideof the bed plate of the.

machine. The tape passes from a reel `RT through a series of rollers 96, 81 and 98 mounted on portion 93 of the block and upwardly between jaws 99 and |00 which yieldingly grip the tape. The rollers have grooves G at their outer ends to receive the beaded edge of tape Il.

As may be seen in Fig. 25, the tape passes l under roller 96 over roller 91 and under roller 98 in-tcthe space between jaws V99 and |00. These jaws are grooved, as shown, to accommodate the beaded edge of the tape I4. Jaw 98 is provided.

with a flange |0| that is secured with screws |02 to portion92 of the block. Jaw |00 is movably .mounted on a stem |03 that passes through the portion 92 of the block and this jaw is urged against the tape by means of springs |04 disposed in the sockets |05. I'he tension of these com'- pression springs is adjusted by means of screws |06 threaded into the sockets. By meanstof the elongated slots 84 in the upper face of the block, the guide and tightener may be adjusted to the proper position. When operate with cutting edges |2| (Figs.

in the die plate. The upper end |25 of the punch -is enlarged and somewhat rectangular in section the tape passes 4out of Jaws 99|00 it moves vertically lipward overthe knurled surface of wheel 58, as previously pointed out.

Cut 01T die or severing mechanism The cut off. die or severing mechanism (Figs. 4, 9, 12, 14, 15, 22, plunger |01 to the lower end of which a punch |08 is secured, a die-plate |09, a stop ||0 secured to the plate to prevent. overfeed of stock strip l,

and a stripper plate positioned above the dieplate and the stop. In order to guide the stock strip accurately into the cut oif die, the stripper plate is formed with a shoulder ||2 which, together with edge ||3 of stop ||0 form a channel vthat guides the ribbon-like support member 2 of the stock strip through the machine after fastener elements or scoops 3 have been severed therefrom Also, a spring H4 is utilized to cause edge ||5 of support member 2 to bear against shoulder I2 of the stripper plate, (Fig. 12) thereby tener elements 3 with respect to the die punch 'as they are brought into abutment with stop ||0.

The stripper plate, stop and die-plate are secured together in proper relationship by screws ||6 (Figs. 12, 13' and 29) and these elements are secured as a unit by screws I1 to a die block ||8 (Figs. 4 and 9).

Die-plate |09 is formed with an opening ||9 2'1, 28 and 29) .comprises a insuring accurate lateral positioning of fashaving ashape corresponding in generalv outline l to the shape of the fastener element 3 and a slot |20 at the'opposite edge through which the tape passes ih its travel from the lower tape guide and tightener 65 to the tape feed wheel 58. Opening ||9 is provided with cutting edges I2| disposed at such an angle that the jaws 4 4 of the fastenerelements will be severed along lines 51.51 indicated in Fig. 1 and as shown by the cut edges onsupport member 2 in Figs. 11 and 12.

Punch |08 (Fig. 15) is of the same .general shape in transverse section as dieA opening ||9 and is provided with cutting edges ,|23 that colower end of plunger |01 (Fig. 9) and secured thereto by means of a screw |21. f

- Die block ||8` is formed with a vertical groove |28 in which plunger |01 is guided (Figs. 10 and 11). The plunger is held in the guide slot by and this portion is received in a socket |26 inthe t the block by means of screws |30 (Fig. 9) At the sides of groove |28, the block is milled out to allow plate |29 to be set into the block with its outer facesubstantially flush with the outer face ,of the block.

The front face of block 8 is slotted horizon tally to provide bearing surfaces |3| and |32 for die-plate |08, and the lower face of the block is milled out to provide a way |33 to accommodate the fastener element transfer and clinching mechanism |5.

The upper end of a cross head |34 (Fig. 9) which is guided by pins die plunger |01 is secured to 11 and 12) means of a plate |29 (Fig. 9) which is secured |35 extending through holes |35 in the opposite ends of the cross head. Pins v|35 are threaded into the die block, the blocks being drilled and tapped at |36 (Fig. 10) for'that' purpose. The

-brackets |4| secured to the bed of Die plunger |01 is moved downward through its working or fastener element cut-off stroke by means of a bell crank |39 (Figs. 2, 4 and 28) which is mountedV on a pin |40 supported in the machine. 'Ihe end of arm |42 of the crank carries a roller |43 that bears on the upper end of the die plunger, and the end of arm |44 carries a roller |45 that is engaged by cam 2|. .Y The cam turns lever |39 in the direction of arrow |46 to actuate the die punch through its cut-off or working stroke and is returned by springs |31. The extent of the return of the die plunger and bell crank may be limited by means of a stop'l41 secured to the die block.

I Fastener element receiving, transferring and vatf mounted wigs. 16, 17,18, 19,

. element 3,

"|51 overhangs the back edge of recess |56 tachz'ng mechanism Mechanism |5 comprises a slide MB-(Flgs. 4, 9, l27, 28 and 29) mounted for sliding movement in a groove l| 49 infbed plate 30 and the Way |33 (Fig. 10) of die block ||8 and is guided between blocks and (Fig. 9). Blocks |50 and |5| and the sides |52 of the sliding block are oppositely inclined, as shown, to form a dove-tailed joint to prevent slide |48 from moving vertically and to maintain it in a fixed path of movement as it is moved'back and forth by cam 24. Shims or spacers |54 may be utilized to hold ,blocks |50|5| -in such position as to provide a neat sliding fit for slide |48.

' Slide |48V (Figs. 14, 16, 21, 22 and 29) is formed with a boss |55 in which a recess |56 is formed to accommodate the projection 1 of a fastener and on top of this boss a. small plate is secured. One end of plate |51 slightly so that when a fastener element has been cut off and deposited with the interlocking head portion thereof in the recess, the element cannot be pulled out of the recess when the die punch is withdrawn. I'he action involved in so depositing a fastener element 3 that its head portion is received inthe ,recess and with the end of the head under plate |51 will be described subsequently herein.

Slide 48 is provided with a slot |58 extending from its forward end to a point adjacent recess 156 in boss |55 (Figs. 9, 14, 22, 27 and 29) to provide a way for tape |4. Tape |4 passes upwardly through this slot with the beaded 4edge thereof presented to the inner end of the slot.

On each side of boss |55 fingers l| 59 and |60 are 20 and 29). fingers serve a three-fold purpose; rst, they coact with plate |51 to hold a fastener element 3 in place after it'has been severed from the stock strip and to prevent such severed element from being withdrawn by the die punch; second, these fingers hold the fastener element securely in place as the slide moves in the direction indicated by arrowl |6| in Figs. 16 and 17; and third, theyI squeeze jaws 4-4 of the elements to the beaded edge of the tape.

Fingers |59 and |60 are actuated to clinch the jaws. 4--4 to the tape by cam surfaces |62 and |63 formed in a plate |64 (Figs. 16 and 1'1) rigidly secured to the front of the bed plate 30 of the machine.v The rear ends of lingers y|59 and |60 are pivotally secured to slide |48 by means of pins IGS-|65. Each finger is urged to the'position shown in Fig. 16 by a ball |66 which rests on the upper end of al spring |61 disposed ina socket lss formed in slide las (see Fig. 2o). nach' ingeris provided with recess |69 shaped to t a concave or spheroi'dal These the -1 contour of itsv coop-L erating ball |66. Springs |61 urge the balls |66 into the recesses |69 of the respective fingers, thereby tending to yieldingly hold the fingers in a fixed position.

If a force is applied to either or both fingers |59 and |60 to turn them to either side of the position shown in Fig. 16, balls |66 are depressed, compressing springs |61; therefore, when the applied force is released, the balls being urged upwardly by the springs tend to seat themselves fully in the recesses, thereby returning the ngers to 'their normal position as shown in Fig. 16.

The inner edges of fingers |59 and |60 are notched as at |12 to clear the sides of portion |13 (Fig. 16) of boss |55 when the fingers are turned to the position shown in Fig. 17. Also, the inner bottom edges thereof are undercut at |14 to clear and overlap the sides of portions |15 (Fig. 21) Aof boss |65. The portions of ngers |59 and |60 that engage the jaws 4 of the fastener elements 3 are notched at |16 and the vertical faces of these notched portions are `so rounded or curved, as shown," that when the die punch is pushing va fastener element. toward the top of boss |55, jaws 4 will on contacting these rounded faces cause the fingers to separate sufficiently to allow the elements to be deposited rmly on top of the boss with the upper surfaces of the fastener element horizontal and with the projection of its head portion positioned within recess |56. When the element is so deposited, fingers |59 and |60 positively in position. When slide |48 is moved. 35

towards plate |64 in which cam surfaces |62 and |63 are formed, the fastener element 3 carried between fingers |59 and |60 is placed with its jaws 4 astride the beaded edge of the tape.

The tapeis brought up through slot |58 with the beaded edge offset inwardly from the position shown in Fig. 17 so. that the crotch, i. e., the surface at the junction of the jaws of the fastener elements, will be pressed firmly against the beaded edge before jaws 4 are squeezed together, as shown in Fig. 17.

The tape is held taut with such a degree of tension between feed wheel 50 and the lower tape guide 65, that, when the jaws 4 of a fastener element 3 are squeezed together, such element 3 will extend outwardly and at right angles to the edge of the tape and so that when a series of elements are attached to the tape the outer endsA of the interlocking heads of the elements will all lie in a straight line, or, in other words, be equidistant from the beaded edge of the tape.

'I'he approximate amount by which the beaded edge of the tape is displaced, when an element is placed with its jaws astride the same, is indicated by the space between dotted lines 11, Fig. 16.

As the slide |48 moves in the direction of arrow |6|', the rounded ends of ngers |59 and |60 engage cani surfaces |62 and |63 whereby these fingers areturned gradually towards the tape. At the beginning of this turning movement, pressure is applied at the outer ends of jaws 4 of the fastener elements, causing them to bend towards the tape. 'Ihe closer-fingers |59 and |60 are brought together by cam surfaces |62 and |63, the greater will be the grip between ther fastener elements and the tape, but at the same time the area of contact between jaws 4 of the fastener element and the inner sides of the ngers |59 and |60 is increased and atthe nish of the squeezing action the squeezing pressure is applied along substantially the full length of jaws 4. 'I'his action of fingers |59 and |60 on jaws 4 of an element is one that prevents over-stressing of the metal as the squeezing force is gradually applied and gradually distributed over an ever increasing area. By applying such a squeezing force, the full length of the jaws is effective in gripping the ltape and, since the metal is not over-stressed, the jaws do not open up and release their grip after the squeezing pressure isA removed. Actual tests have demonstrated that fastener elements applied to a tape in the manner above described cannot be pulled off the tape as the tape will tear before suilicient force can be applied to cause the grip of the jaws to yield. Since the jaws grip the tape over a wide area, the threads of the tapev are not weakened and tests have shown that a greater load can be put on the fastener elements without Acausing the tape to tear, than can be put on fastener elements attached to tapes in accordance with prior art methods and machines.

Slide |48 is moved forwardly in the direction of the arrow by cam 24 (Figs. 4 and 16) and is returned by springs |80 that are compressed during this forward movement. Springs |80 of the coil type are disposed about guide rods |8| threaded into the front endof the slide, one on each side of slot |58. The outer ends of rods |8| extend through suitable guide openings in a thrust plate |82 which is rigidly secured to the bed plate'll of the machine.

In order that' the die opening I I9 and the nest or repository formed by lingers |59 and |60 and the recess I56'in boss |55 may be kept clean and free of metal and other particles, means are provided for subjecting this repository to a blast of air of suilicie'nt velocity to blow such particles out of the same. 'I'his means comprises a tube |88 (Fig. 4) having an orifice disposed adjacent die opening I I9 in the die-plate. 'I'he tube is connected to a valve |84 the stem |85 of which is actuated by cam 24. The valve is connected to a source of supply of compressed air (not shown). Each time slide |48 is returned to the position shown in Fig. 16, at which time the die punch is 'in its uppermost position, valve stem |85 is depressed allowing a blast of air to be directed into' they die-plate and the repository as above stated.

. if Stock strip feed control and group control mec mism Zipper fasteners 'as produced commercially 'are usually made to specified lengths; that is, eachstringer contains a predetermined number of fas-l tener elements and a specified length of clear tape at each end of the group of fastener elements, the length of clear tape at each end -usualo ly being about one and one-half inches.' The ,the predetermined number of elements with a gap or machine herein illustrated is so designed that fastener elements 3 may be applied without interposing any gap of clear tape between any group of elements, or the elements 'may be attached to' tape in groups, each group containing any clear space of any predetermined length between groups as shown in Fig. 1. To accomplish grouping of elements 8 the feed ofk stock strip I may be stopped, without stopping the .feed of tape I4,

when a group of elements containing the desired number'has been attached'to the tape, until a ylength of clear tape equal to, say, three inches,.

has been fed through the machine. When this length of clear tape has been fed, the feed of contact' pins 200 and 20| edge of the tape is obtained. To obtain individual zipper elements, the clear tape portions are cut in the middle thereof whereby a clear tape portion of one and one-half inches in length is provided at each end of the group of fastener elements of the zipper element.

The feed of the stock strip may be stopped, in the case of the machine herein shown, by holding the strip feed leverr48 out of operative engagement with cam 22. This may be accomplished by causing a plunger or block |86 to be inserted between shaft bearing |81 and the roller end of lever 48 as shown in Figs. 7 and 28. When this block is in the position shown in Figs. 'I and 28, the strip feed mechanism is locked, i. e., this mechanism is rendered inactive and the feed ofstrip is' arrested. When the feed of strip is to resumed, block |86 is raised out of locking position to allow rollerr 52 of lever 48 to follow the contour of camk 22 and thereby vcause the strip feed mechanism to resume its feed operations. Means are provided comprising a solenoid |88 having a core |89 connected at one end by a pin |90 to block |86 for controllingthe position of the block. The solenoid is supported by a bracket |9| secured to the housing of bearing I8?.

When the solenoid is energized the core is pulled up thereby lifting block |86 out of the path of lever 48. The position of the lowermost face of block |86, when elevated, is shown in Fig. 3. So A long as the solenoid is energized the stock strip lis fed to the severing die of the machine. When the solenoid is deenergized, core |89 is pulled downward by spring |92 to locking position as shown in Figs. '1 and 28 the moment the feed lever 48 is at the end of its feeding movement.

In order to limit the downward movement of core |89, blockV |86 is provided with wings |93 which when block |86 is in locking position rests on the top of bearing |81 and the top of the end of lever 48 above roller 52. By hunting this downward-movement, positive attraction of the core by the solenoid each time the solenoid is energized, as assured.

The energization of solenoid |88 and, therefore, the control of the stock strip 'feed mechanism is governed by control mechanism or device 26 (Figs. 3, 8 and 28). Device 26 comprises a wheel |94 rotatably mounted on a pin |95 in a bracket |96 secured to the bed plate of the machine. .A plate |91 of insulating material is secured to one face of the wheel. Plate |9I is formed with a segmental recess in which a segment of a metallic strip |98 is secured. A plug |99 having spaced is mounted in a socket 282 with the contact pinsA disposed line and line on the vertical diameter of wheel |94 and in contact with the wheel face. The-'contact pins are in series circuit with the solenoid |88 so that as long as these contact pins engage metallic segment |98, the solenoid is energized, but when the metallic segment passes out of contact therewith, the solenoid is deenergized, y Wheel |94 is provided around its periphery and thc number of: teeth employed determines the number of fastener elements that will be attached, in a group, to the tape and the length Iof gap between groups. Thus, if, for example, for a given spacing be- With ratchet teeth |94'v tween individual fastener elements and a given thickness of thev fastener elements, ten such elements are to be applied .per inch of tape and if the length of a group is to beseven inches and the length of gap is to be three inches, then 100 ratchet vteeth would be employed. If the length.

|98 is equal to .the circumferential 1 noid |88 and stopping the feed of the stock strip.

l feed mechanism vto resume its feeding operations.

' ing groups offastener Solenoid |88 will remain deenergized andthe feed of the strip will be stopped until Wheel |94 has been advanced 30 teeth (3 inches) at which time the leading end of segment |98 again makes contact with contact points 200 and 20| at which time the solenoid is reenergized allowing the strip In order to supply the trade with stringers havelements of ldifferent specified lengths, a wheel |94 will be used which has the required number'of ratchet teeth around its periphery. For example, if the numbergof; fastener elements per inch of tape as stated above is taken 'as a standard, theA number of teeth required to produce a fastener stringer having thirty 4fastener elements per group with a three l'inch gap between groups would be sixty; a .four

inch or forty element group with' a threeinch gap would require seventy teeth; a ve inch or fty element group with the same gap would require eighty teeth, a ten inch or one hundred element group with the same length of gap would require one hundred thirty. teeth, etc.

' In order that wheel 94 may be advanced one tooth each time a fastener element is attached to the tape, a lever 203 operated by cam 22, the same cam that operates the stock strip feed mechanism, and a pawl 204 operated by lever 283 are provided. Pawl 204 is pivotally mounted at its rear end on a sliding block 205 disposed under wheel |94 and guided in a slot formed in the base of`bracket |98. Pawl 204 is urged into, engagement with the ratchet teeth by a compression spring 206 mounted between block 205 and the free end of the pawl. 'I'he rear end of block 205 overhangs the bed plate 30 and is provided with a depending pin 201 positioned to be engaged by one end of lever 203. 'I'he other end of this lever carries a roller 208 that follows the contour of cam 22. Lever 203 is pivotally mounted at about its mid point on a pin 209 carried by a bracket 2 8 secured to the bed plate 30. Block 205 is moved in the direction of arrow 2H (Figs. 8 and 28) by lever 203 and is returned by nnans of a compression spring 2|2r mounted in a socket 2| 3' at the forward end of the blo'ck. This spring works against a pin 2|4'that extends into the socket but whose outer end lbears against a rigid abutment 2I5.

To insure that wheel |94 will only be'advanced one tooth ata time regardless of the number of ratchet teeth per inch made for adjusting the working stroke of pawl 204. It will be yapparent that the gr'eater the number of teeth the shorter the working stroke must be; or, conversely, the fewer the teeth per inch the longer the stroke must be. The length of the working stroke may conveniently be adl justed by limiting the return strcke of block 205 l and this may be `done lby. employing an adjustable 4stop such as a screw 2| 8 mounted for example one tooth each time a fastener elevone or more fiber discs employed, provision is in a rigid bracket`2l'l. 'Screw 2|6 is threaded through the bracket with the end thereof in position to engage the rear end of block 205.

For a given number of teeth on wheel |94 2|8 is adjusted manually until pawl 204 will vance the wheel stroke. To prevent the drag of pawl 204 from turning wheel |94 on its returnv stroke and also to prevent overtravel of the wheel on the workingstroke of the pawl, a friction drag is imposed on the wheel. The friction drag may comprise I 95a, or a disc of any suitable material, on pin |95 between the outer face of wheel 94 and a thrust plate 2|8 which is drawn up tightly to provide the pressure required to dev elop the necessary friction between the wheel and disc.

As may be seeri by reference to Fig. 3, rollers 52 and 208 of levers 48 and 203 are with respect to cam 22 disposed 180 apart and, therefore, assuming that shaft I6 is turning in the direction of the arrow 56, the stock strip feed lever 48 will always be at the fore lever 203 is oscillated in the direction to advance wheel |94 one tooth.

Cams

The cams employed for operating the various mechanisms of the machine above described are stop adall mounted on shaft i6 which is driven by motor 20. f

Cams 2| and 24 are of the side type, that is, the throw of the cam is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the shaft, Whereas cams 22 and 23 are of the radial typeuthat is, the throw of these cams'is parallel to the shaft. Fig. 6 illustrates diagrammatically the relative location of the just one tooth on its workingV end of its return oscillation behigh points of all of the cams. The angle between vectors 2| (Fig. 4), 22 (Fig. 3) 23' (Fig. 5) and 24 (Fig. 4) which represents the high points of camsl 2|, 22, 23 and 24, depict approximately the angular relationship between the cams and the order in which they'operate mechanisms Il, I2, I3 and I5, respectively.

With the cams in the position indicated by the vectors in Fig. 6 and in the views in which these cams are illustrated, it will be seen that the die punch |08 has just been actuated through its working stroke and returned to its elevated position and that cam 24 is beginning to move the transfer slide block |48 to the point where an element will be placed astride the edge of the tape and clinched thereto. 4

The shape of the cams employed to actuate tape strip feed and the group control device are substantially identical and include along dwell with a rise and fall lwhich are approximately symmetrical. The high points of the cams embrace a relatively small angle so that the working and return strokes of the pawls actuated by thesecams are relatively close together. Cam 2| that operates the die punch has a very rapid rise and a very rapid fall in order to allow very quick action ofthe punch.

The shape of cam 24 that operates slide block |48 also has a rapid rise with a dwell so designed that the end of the slide block will contact the cam both on its rising portion and on its dwell portion. The shape is such that the working stroke of slide |48 and its return stroke are rapid enough to clinch the element to theV tape and to return to the position in which it receives an elepun'ch is in position to be actuated by cam 2|. While the shape of these cams may-be modified I J ment from the die punch byv the ,timethe die between stripper plate I to obtain required motions, it has been found that the cam shapes employed are satisfactory for the 1n order to put the machine herein illustrated Yin operation, areel of stock strip material and a reel of tape are provided. The tape is threaded through the lower tape guide and tensioning device 65, shown in Figs. 25 and 26, upwardly through the slot in slide block |48 and over feed wheel 58. Roller 66 is placed on the tape and the spring tension adjusted so that the tension in the take between the feed Iwheel and the lower tape guide will be that required.u The. tension should be such that when a fastener element is clinchedto the beaded edgeof the tape, the elementwill be at right angles to the tape. The lower tape guide should also be so adjusted that the friction jaws will grip the tape firmly enough to prevent slipping of the tape when the transfer mechanism presses a fastener element against the edge thereof. The displacement indicated in Figs. 16l and i7 caused by the pressure of a fastener element against the edge of the tape should come from the natural stretch of the material and not from slippage of tape through either the lower tape guide and tensioning device or between the 'feed wheel and the tension roller 66.

The stock strip is next threaded into the machine. This is accomplished by inserting the free end of the strip through or into channel 220 (Figs. 2 and 3) under the toothed wheel 21. By turning hand wheel 38 back and forth and pushing on the stock strip until a tooth on the feed wheel enters a feed notch 8 so that by turning the wheel by hand in-the direction of feed, thestock strip will be fed into the guide channel formed Fig. 9) and spring |I4 (Figs. 11 and 29). Wheel 38 ls turned until the end element rabuts against the end of stop H0. Having threaded the stock strip into the machine, wheel |94 is turned until contact pins 200, 20|' are midway between the ends of segments |98. Thus 'when the machine is started the proper tension will be set up in tape I4 by the time the attachment of elements 3 to the tape begins.

f When these adjustments have been made, it will be observed that the die punchv will be in itsielevated position so that when-motor 2U is started.

the die punch will come downand sever a'fastener element from the stock strip. The die punch w then immediately rise to .its uppermost sinon, at which time cam 24 wm aotuate slide I Biforwardly, carrying with it the severed fastener element, place it astride the beaded edge of the tape, clinch it thereto, and then return to a position in which the respository thereof in position to receive the next fastener element when severed from the stock strip.

As soon as the slide biookua has beeftirefeed wheel 58 one tooth following'which lcam 22 advances the the punch comes down and severs'an element and stock strip feed wheel one tooth,l following which places itin mechanism |5 by which it is trapsfrred to a position to be vclinched to' the topo.V In the meantime, wheel |94 is turned one tooth before the stock strip feed wheel advances another element 3 .into the cut-off die. Therefore, each time a fastener element is fed to thefdie mechanism and' severed from the stock strip.

will beI device 26 is turned one tooth so that an actual count of the number of elements attached to the tape is made. When wheel |94 has been rotated a distance corresponding to the circumferential length of the contact segment, the feed of the stock strip material is stopped while the feed of tape continues, so that the desired gap between groups of elements is obtained. As soon as this gap reaches the required length the feed of the stock strip begins again.

As will be observed by inspection of Figs. 12, lli and 22, the stock strip moves into the die mechanism until its leading edge strikes the end of y stop |I0. Also as` it enters into the guidechan-l nel formed between the stripper plate and the die plate, spring ||4 pushes on the end of the interlocking `head portion of the fastener element so that such element is positively centered with respect to the die cutting edges. When the die comes down and severs a fastener element from to come to rest in a horizontal position on boss- |55 as 'shown in Fig. 22. f

As soon as elementI 3 is in this position, ngers |59 and |60 are moved toward each other and slightly overlap the jaws of the vfastener element. Since the outer end of the head of .the fastener element is overlapped by plate |51, the die punch, when itis withdrawn from the` repository and from the opening in the die plate, will not withdraw the severed element from the repository, nor will the element be shifted out of position therein. i

With the machine as herein illustrated stringers-of fasteners may be made which will match with those made on any other machine of the same make. The spacing of fastener elements on the tape is precise andl constant and cannot be otherwise, also the thickness of the fastener elements cannot vary. Since the die punch merely severs a small portion of the fastener. elements (thefastener elements being preformedkbefore 2c the stock strip, the head of the fastener element g tends to drop down ahead of the jaw and of said element and the element therefore assumes anthe same'are delivered to the die mechanism, wear on the-die will in no wise 'affect the shape or size of zipper elements. f What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a punch for severing fastener elements from a strip, of means for receiving said elements one at a time from the punch including spaced members adapted to yieldably gripthe jaws of the fastener element deposited therein by the punch, means for shifting said receiving means to place the elements with the jaws thereof astride .the edge of a flexible tape, and means for moving said movable members toward each other to squeeze the yelement jaws into gripping relationwith said tape.

2. In a machine for severing /from a stock strip preformed fastener elements 'each having an interlocking head and spaced tape gripping jaws and attaching the sameto the edge of a Saidv strip,

Y element receiving means in a direction able members to force the fastener element jaws a flexible tape,

' ilexible tape,

[at its other end and for into gripping contact with said tape. A

3. In a machine for successively severing individ preformed fastener elements from a stock s rip and attaching the same to the edge of a cut-oil' die, a rotatable member having teeth engageable with said stock strip for advancing the for receiving each element severed by said die and which includes spaced pivoted members, a fastener element support between said members and spring actuated means yfor yieldingly retaining said members in normal position where portions of the same .overhang said support, means for feeding a yflexible tape with an edge thereof in line with said support, means for moving said element receiving means toward said tape and means for forcing said movable members toward one anotherwhereby the jaws of the fastener elements are attached to said tape.

4. In a machine for severing fastener elements from a stock strip and securing the same to a a die punch, means for feeding the stock strip to said punch, a receptor for the fastener elements severed from said stock strip by lvsaid punch and including movable members having portions thereof adapted to 'overlie parts of the fastener element within the receptor, means for feeding flexible tape with an edge thereof presented to the receptor, means for moving said receptor toward said tape so that the Jaws of the fastener element therein. are caused to straddle the edge of said/tape and means operating while the receptor is moving toward said tape to actuate said movable members to. force the fastener element jaw tape.

5. In 'a machine of the character described, av

die punch, means for feeding a stock strip to the die punch, a receptor for the fastener elements severed from the stock strip by the die punch; said receptorvbeingl adapted to receive one element at a time and which includes movable members adapted to .compress the :laws 'of the fastener element together; means for feeding tape with an'edge thereof presented to the receptor, means for moving the receptor toward said tape to posi- Non. the fastener element vthereingso that its -Jaws straddle the edge of the tape and means adapted to engage said movable members while the receptor is moving toward the tape to .move the fastener element ment with the tape.

6. In a machine for severing from a stock strip lpreformed fastener elements each having an interlocking head at one` end and tape gripping `Jaws attaching such elements to the edge of atape, a cut-olf die for severing one fastener element at a time from' said stock strip, toothed rotatable means for meshing with said stock strip for feeding said withanedgetherecfin same into said cut-off die, meansl into clamping engagement with said jaws into clampingengagefastener. element iaws astride line with the jaws of a fastener element when in said die, means for. receiving the fastener elemen-ts as they are severed by said die and which includes pivotally mounted members adapted toy engage the fastener element jaws, means for moving said fastener element receiving means in a direction to position the fastener elementreceiving said fastener elements one at a time from the punch and including pivotally mounted members adapted to grip the jaws of the fastener element deposited therein by the punch, means for reciprocating said receiving means to pl'ace the fastener element jaws astride the edge of a flexible tape and stationary means for causing said movable members to approachame another to move the fastener element jaws into gripping "contact with said tape.

8. VIn a machine for securing fastener elements to a flexible tape, a punch, a support mounted for reciprocation beneath said punch and having a slotted end, means for feeding a stoel: strip across said support below said punch, means for feeding a exible tape through the slot of said. support, means for operating said punch to sever fastener elements from said stock strip. meansv carried by said support for receiving such severed which includes pivotally yieldinsly gripping fastenex` elements and mounted. spaced members for the fastener element jaws, means for reciprocating said support to place the fastener element jaws astride the edge of said tape and means for swinging said spaced members toward one another to cause the fastener element jaws to grip said tape.

9. In a machine for securing fastener elements to a flexible tape, a punch, a support mounted for.

reciprocation' beneath said punch and having a slotted end, means for feeding a stock strip across said support below said punch, means for feeding a. flexible tape through said slot, means for operating said punch to sever fastener elements from Y said stock strip, means carried by said support for receiving such severed fastener elements and which includes pivotally mounted spaced members for yieldinglyvgripping the fastener element jaws and a fastener element supported between said spaced member and having a depression for receiving the projection on the fastener element head, means for reciprocating said support to place the fastener element ljaws astride the edge of said tape and means for swinging said spaced members toward one another to cause the fastener element jaws to grip said tape. l

10. In a machine for securing fastener elements to a flexible tape, a punch, a support mounted for reciprocation beneath said punch and having a bifurcated end, means for feeding a stock strip.

part of the'lieadv end of the fastenerelement, means for reciprocating said support to place the the edge of said for yieldingly Y and which is provided with means for overlying means in the path of tape and means for swinging said spaced inem-v bers toward one another to cause the fastener element jaws to grip said tape.`

l1. In a machine for securing slide fastener elements to a exible tape, the combination with a reciprocating punch for severing preformed fastener elements from the ribbon-like support portion of a stock strip, of rotatable means adapted to meshwith such a stock strip for feeding the same beneath said punch, means for feeding a flexible tape perpendicularly to the path of travel of said stock strip, a support mounted for reciprocation beneath said punch and across the path of travel of said strip and-having one end thereof slotted to straddle said flexible tape, means carried by said support for receiving each element as it is severed by the punch and including spaced members for yieldingly gripping the jaw portions of the fastener element, means for reciprocating said support to place the fastener, element jaws astride the edge of said tape and l travel of said support for causing said movable members to force the jaws of said element into gripping contact with said tape. f I

12. In a machine for seeming fastener elements to a exible tape, a punch, cans for feeding past said punch a stock strip composed of preformed fastener elements and a ribbon-like support to which said elements are connected, means for operating said punch in synchronism with the strip feeding means to sever each fastener element from said support as said element lines up with said punch, means for receiving each fastener element as it is severed from said support by said .punch and which comprises a support for the fastener element, pivotally mounted fingers 10- cated on opposite sides of said support, spring means tending to yieldingly hold said fingers in normal position wherein portions thereof overhang the jaw portions of the fastener. element supported on said support and means for swinging said fingers into position to move the fastener element jaws into gripping engagement with said tape.

13. In a machine for making slide fastener stringers, a punch for severing fastener elements from a stock strip and positioning the same on a Support member located therebeneath, a slotted slide carrying said support and mounted for re ciprooation, a pair of pivoted yngers between which said support member is located and which have portions adapted when the fingers are in -normal position to overhang parts of ra fastener element lpositioned therebetween, means for yieldingly holding said fingers in normal position,

means for feeding bflexible tape through the slot in said slide, means for reciprocating said slide and ymeans operating during-the movement of said slide toward said flexible tapeto cause said fingers/,to force the jaws of the fastener element carried on said support member to grip said tape.

14.l In a machine for making slide 'fastener stringers, apunch for severing preformed fasten-- er elements from fastener elements extending from one edge of the same, means for advancing such a stock strip through the machine and beneath said punch, a eachfastener elementas it is severed by the punch from the which comprises a supportr for thefastener element, pivoted fingers on opposite sides of -said support with parts thereof overhanging portions of said support when said fingers are in normal a stock strip which includes a ribbon-like support portion with regularly spaced stock strip and position and means for yieldingly holding said flngers innormal position, a reciprocating support for said receptor having an end slot aligned with the fastener element support, means for feeding flexible tape through lsaid slot with one edge thereof aligned with the center line of said support and means operating during recipr'o cation of said support toward said tape to move said nngers toward one another whereby the fastener element jaws are caused to grip said tape; said fingers being adapted to be moved to uncover said support by the fastener element as it is followed in its downward travel by the punch.

15. In a machine for severing fastener elements from a stock strip and securing the same to a flexible tape, means for feeding stock strip step by step, a punch forsevering fastener elynents from said strip, means for receiving each element as the same is severed by said punch and which means includes spaced members adapted to yieldingly grip the jaws of the fastener element deposited therebetween by the punch, means for feeding a exible tape step by step, means for shifting said receiving means to place the fastener elements with the jaws thereof astride the edge of said tape and means for moving said movable members to cause said jaws to grip said tape.

' 16.A A machine according to claim 15 in which the receiving means for the elements severed by the punch, in addition to the spaced members, is provided with a fastener element support located between said members and which has a depression therein for accommodating the projection on the head end of the fastener element and a rooflike portion beneath which the outer end of the head portion of such element slides as the element moves to position on such support.

1'7. A machine according to claim 15, in which the stock strip feeding means, the punch, the

` means for feeding the flexible tape and the means 20. A machine according to claim 15, in whichV the exible tape feeding means includes a wheel vover which the tape runs, means for pressing the tape against said'wheel, a pawl and ratchet for advancing the wheel and means for preventing overtravel and over back travel of the wheel during and after the feed strokes of the pawl and ratchet.

21. A'machine according to claim 15, in which the tape feeding means comprises a wheel over which the tape runs, means for pressing the tape against the wheel, means for subjecting the tape to a relatively high tension as it is fed by said wheel, a series of rratchet teeth and a pawl for advancing said tape one tooth per stroke of the pawl to determine thespacing between elements `attached to the tape, means for vmoving said pawl through a stroke greater than necessary to advance said wheel one tooth; the tension in said tape being suiiicient to cause the Wheel to turn in the opposite direction, and a fixed Lpawl for engaging said teeth to lock the wheel in a position corresponding to the spacing required between elements.

22. In a machine for severing iroma stock Y and means for actuating said holding means While EINAR MARTIN a,14e,ovs 1 l strip` preformed fastener elements each having said holding means are moving to squeeze said an interlocking head at one end and tape sripfastener element jaws in'to clamping engagement ping jaws at the other end and for attaching said with said tape. Y elements to the edge of a flexible tape, the com- 23. A machine according to claim 22, in which on comprising a punch, means for feeding means are provided for positively holding each 5 Stock strip step-by-step to successively position fastener element on the strip in proper position the fastener elements thereon beneath said punch, to be acted upon by the punch. means for operatingl said punch to sever the fas- 24. A machine according to claim 22, in which tener elements from' said strip, means for receivmeans are provided for cleaning the receiving ing and holding each fastener elementas it is and holding means between delivery of successive 10 severed from said strip, means for feeding a ilexfastener elements thereto. ible tape step-by-step with the edge thereof in line 25. A machine accordingto claim 22, in which with the Jaws of the fastener `elements severed means are provided for periodically interrupting from said strip, means for moving said fastener the feed of stock strip without interrupting the element holding means in a direction to position feed of the flexible tape. 15 the Jaws of the fastener element astride said tape, 

